Legal Consequences of Bomb Threats in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Human Services received a threat on April 22nd that a bomb had been installed in the Capitol building, as well as another state office building. Capitol Police cleared the grounds of the Capitol building, and the Illinois State Police and Springfield Police Department were able to secure the other building implicated in the bomb plot. A hazardous device unit cleared the buildings after no explosives were found at either site.  

The Illinois State Police immediately jumped into action to locate the perpetrator of the call, using cellular data and interviews. The suspected person who called in the bomb threat was later identified as a 23-year-old woman and is currently being held at Sangamon County Jail. At the same time, she awaits a pre-trial detention hearing. It is unclear at this time what her motivation may have been. She is being charged with a felony count of disorderly conduct. 

Felony Count of Disorderly Conduct 

According to the Illinois Compiled Statutes, “a person commits disorderly conduct when he or she knowingly does any act in such unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another and to provoke a breach of the peace.” This is considered a misdemeanor. In this case, the alleged call from the woman alarmed the Department of Human Services and the various police units involved in ensuring the safety of those in and around the Capitol building and the public aid office that was targeted. This certainly created a response that breached the peace.  

The definition includes that a person commits disorderly conduct when that person ”transmits or causes to be transmitted in any manner to another a false alarm to the effect that a bomb or other explosive….is concealed in a place where its explosion or release would endanger human life, knowing at the time of the transmission that there is no reasonable ground for believing that the bomb, explosive is concealed in the place.” This is a class 3 Felony. In this case, it is also unclear whether the woman thought there was a threat of a bomb or other explosive or if she placed the call under no illusions of any such threat.  

Further, a person commits disorderly conduct if that person “transmits or causes to be transmitted in any manner to any peace officer, public officer or public employee a report to the effect that an offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed, knowing at the time of the transmission that there is no reasonable ground for believing that the offense will be committed, is being committed, or has been committed.” This is a class 4 Felony. The woman did indeed transmit information to a public employee when she called the Department of Human Services and spoke to a public employee to allege a threat. 

The definition continues to specify that disorderly conduct occurs when a person “transmits or causes to be transmitted in any manner a false report to any public safety agency without the reasonable grounds to believe that transmitting the report is necessary for the safety and welfare of the public.” This is a misdemeanor. Once again, it is unclear if her actions were based on a genuine belief that such a threat existed or if she knowingly relayed false claims. 

Fines and Supervision 

Because the woman was charged with at least one felony count of disorderly conduct, the portions of the definition that apply are the felony counts outlined above. She will face a fine of not less than $3,000 and no more than $10,000, in addition to any other penalty imposed. The court may also order her to perform community service for not less than 30 and not more than 120 hours. If she is also placed on supervision, the supervision will be conditioned on the performance of the community service. 

Creating a situation where public services are expended on a false claim is never a good idea. It is an even worse idea if you do so knowingly. The woman will be provided a chance to explain her position. Luckily for all those involved, no one was hurt.